Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-20
FOREFATHERs' DAY.

CeIeDfaG1On DY the Congregational Club of the Day That the Pilgrims Landed 1n America.
 There was large attendance at the public exercises of the Congregational club in their celebration of Forefathers day at the Dwight Place church last night. Previous to the public meeting the members of the club were given fine supper by the ladies of the Dwight Place church. In the lecture room Rev. Mir. Dickinson offered prayer, H. G. Newton spoke of the "Forefathers,' Rufus s. Pickett of the "Pilgrim Daughters" The public exercises began at 7:30 o'clock The Dwight Place male quartette rendered a selection of song, followed by prayer by Rev. MT. Squires. After another selection by the quartette Rev. Dr. Twitehell, of the Dwight Place church and president of the Congregational club, made brief address. He said it is safe to say that of all the States in New England none has more reason to be proud of their forefathers-the Pill grim fathers-than Connecticut. It is safe to say that no city in New England has more reason to be proud of it's forefathers than this fair city of New Haven. Let our eyes look toward the spot where that noble company gave life to an unborn land. It was divine instinct that made them dissenters, non-con- formists, Puritans and Pilgrims. It was divine instinct that guided the May flower. It was divine instinct that guided them through all they did. It was for us to exult tomorrow and on all to-morrows on the seasonableness of these instinctive deeds. The Pilgrims combined high faith in God. We are here to pluck the ripened fruit from the trees that they planted and made America what she is in education, religion and patriotism.
 Rev. Dr. Twitchell called on Professor Simeon B. Baldwin for the first toast, which was ably responded to. Prof. Baldwin's toast was 'fThe Pilgrim Idea of Religious Liberty" The subject was treated by the speaker in his usual able manner, the central thought being the aspiration of the Puritans to gain untrammeled religious liberty and the grand influence for good which resulted. Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth responded to the toast t'The Pilgrim Church" He said that every great religions movement has two sides "a negative and positive principles. On the negative side separation was not the essen tial idea of the church of England; they were compelled to separate. Brewster and his noble band left the church of England. We must not say that Congregationalists are separatists. It was an accidental occurrence. Because our forefathers separated from a \ large body it does not follow that we must remain 8 body of non conformists and dis senters, for it was purely an accident that it ! so happened.
 ''The Pilgrim Commonwealth" was re- sponded to by Rev. Dr. George Bushnell. ! In closing he said that the Pilgrim forefathers had no idea that they were making great discovery in politics when they came to America. They went forward to obey the ! laws which should emanate from their body. I They selected the same men to found the | State as to found the church. The success of \ Puritanism belongs to the faithful teachings | of John Robinson more than to anyone else. \ He had broad view of progress. As pa \ triotic citizens we are looking to higher de- \ gree of religious and civil liberty than has \ yet been attained-a new earth wherein \ dwelieth righteousness.
 Rev. Dr. George P. Fisher of Yale res \ sponded to the toast "The Pilgrim College D ! One of the powers of the Puritans is the way | they are attacked at the present day. No | men doubt that they were purely religious | men. None leave their homes and cross \ the ocean to worship God unless they are \ true worshippsrs of God. No one doubted \ their courage, patience and bravery. The | Puritans were the foes of ignorance. A great \ part of the prosecutions heaped on them was | owing to the fact that they were the friends ! of knowledge.
 The Puritan college was built up by educated clergy of Puritanism. The one
 hundred educated clergymen who came over
 here made New England. In order to be
 ! faithful tethe idea of the Pilgrims the col | lege should not only look to the education
 of the young men, but to the framing of
 | character. No intellectual training is profit
 ! based on religious liberty.
 Rev. James L. Willard, who was to respond
 to the toast "The Pilgrim Home, :" was unable
 \ to be present on account of illness.
 After a few parting remarks by Rev. Dr.
 \ Twitchell the meeting was adjourned.